Panday: Manning entitled to medical coverage

The Peoples’ Partnership Government is doing former prime minister Patrick Manning no favours by paying his medical bills, according to Basdeo Panday. He told a press conference at Rienzi Complex, Couva yesterday: “I see that the government is boasting that they are paying for Mr Manning’s medical bills. I want to tell them that they are not doing Mr Manning any favours. “That is his right.” Panday said during his tenure as prime minister a Cabinet decision was made to pay the medical bills of former prime ministers and presidents.

Manning, who suffered a stroke at his Vistabella home on January 23, was airlifted to Washington DC earlier this week for treatment. The government granted the family’s request to pay US$91,000 to have him airlifted. Foreign Affairs and Communications Minister Suruj Rambachan said at a post-Cabinet media briefing on Thursday that the State would cover expenses to ensure Manning received the best medical care.